These towns are also part of the 'Historic Highlights of Germany' (www.historicgermany.com) - a union of 14 German cities. They have compiled four special Christmas market itineraries that will allow you to experience the best of the festive season, its cheerful atmosphere and unique yuletide traditions.
Traditions vary from region to region and city to city - ginger bread for example is popular in Southern Germany, whereas stollen is a Christmas tradition in the east. A special variation is the 'Erfurter Schnittchen' which was first mentioned in 1329 making it the oldest Christmas stollen in Germany. The cathedral and St Severi church provide a stunning backdrop for Erfurt's atmospheric Christmas market which also offers a wide range of traditional Thuringian wood carvings - such as Christmas pyramids, smoking men, or nutcrackers. It is open from 25th November to 22nd December 2009. The Tourist Office offers a special 'Christmas in Erfurt' package for €159 per person in a double room (including 2 nights/breakfast, welcome drink and dinner on the day of arrival, guided city tour, Christmas menu and a small gift).
Further information can be found at www.erfurt-tourismus.de or can be requested at pauschalen@erfurt-tourismus.de.
Potsdam is not only famous for Schloss Sanssouci with its beautifully presented parks and gardens but also for its historic town centre, where the Christmas market invites visitors between 22nd November and 27th December. Worth a visit is the Dutch Quarter, known for its brick red gable houses. Like every year the Dutch Sinterklaas (Father Christmas) leads the procession on his horse to the Sinterklaas market (12th and 13th December).
Potsdam Tourism Office (www.potsdamtourismus.de) offers special winter packages and information on tours and can help with further suggestions for your winter holidays.
The Christmas market in Rostock - one of the largest of its kind in Northern Germany - opens on 26th November. One of the specialities of this Christmas market is the entrance of Father Christmas into the city. Traditionally at 2pm on the Saturday of the opening weekend he will steer his way to the Hanseatic city with a traditional sailing ship, disembarking in the city centre harbour. The well-kept secret is what vehicle will bring Father Christmas, the fairy godmother and the retinue of fairies into the festively decorated city centre. A highlight is the historic Christmas market at the city hall with fortune tellers, blacksmiths and carpenters giving an insight into their handicraft, allowing visitors to see traditional goods being made.
Further information: www.rostock.travel and touristinfo@rostock.de.
Information on the four 'Christmas Dream Routes' including dates of all Christmas markets are available as pdf-downloads at www.historicgermany.com. Further information can be requested at info@historicgermany.com or by phone 0049 (0)821 502 0722.
